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Napoleonic Road Trail, Trieste and Surroundings

SuzanaM31. 05. 2015 21:16:36

On the way to Trieste I usually stop at the obelisk on Opčine and enjoy the view of the city lying below. That's how I also saw the sign for the circular Napoleonic road trail (strada Napoleonica). Probably Napoleon's road is more correct; I state the name as it is on the info boards along the path. The circular trail is 8 km long. To the Sanctuary on Vejna is 4.5 km. In memory of the last period of Napoleon's rule it got the name Napoleonica; in 2009 they arranged it into a footpath.

The path on a pleasant sandy road gently descends for most of the way, under picturesque cliffs before the settlement Borgo San Nazario near Prosecco, then starts ascending on asphalt. Before the parking it turns onto a trail along the cliff edge and then through the forest to the Marian sanctuary on Vejna or Griža (Monte Grisa). It continues on the asphalted path along the Way of the Cross (Via Crucis) and trail through the forest to the start on Opčine.

Don't seek solitude on the path, as it's extremely popular with runners and walkers. Instead enjoy exceptional views all the way to Savudrija and Grado; if lucky, catch Dolomites and Julian Alps too. I'll come back for those.

Strolling can continue through Trieste or by visiting the nearby Miramare Castle.

At the obelisk you can park only for 1 hour. A larger free parking lot is at the roundabout.

That's how it was a week ago, 24.05.2015:

Napoleonic Road Trail, Trieste and Surroundings The obelisk on Opčine was completed in 1839 to thank Emperor Franz I who had the new road to Trieste built

Napoleonic Road Trail, Trieste and Surroundings Trieste from the viewpoint below the obelisk

Napoleonic Road Trail, Trieste and Surroundings circular path Napoleonska cesta

Napoleonic Road Trail, Trieste and Surroundings at the starting point and along the path there are some signs showing our position and the remaining path length

Napoleonic Road Trail, Trieste and Surroundings approximately 3 km along the sandy Napoleonska cesta which gently descends towards Prosek

Napoleonic Road Trail, Trieste and Surroundings view of Trieste and Victory Lighthouse

Napoleonic Road Trail, Trieste and Surroundings

Napoleonic Road Trail, Trieste and Surroundings on the blue sea

Napoleonic Road Trail, Trieste and Surroundings the path continues with a short ascent on the asphalted (traffic-closed) road under the rocky walls

Napoleonic Road Trail, Trieste and Surroundings Towards Miramare castle and Gradež.

Napoleonic Road Trail, Trieste and Surroundings Climbing area Napoleonica.

Napoleonic Road Trail, Trieste and Surroundings Path along the trail above the cliffs.

Napoleonic Road Trail, Trieste and Surroundings View downwards.

Napoleonic Road Trail, Trieste and Surroundings Further along the trail through the forest.

Napoleonic Road Trail, Trieste and Surroundings Hungry hikers at Italija viewpoint.

Napoleonic Road Trail, Trieste and Surroundings From Italija viewpoint towards Vejna and Trieste.

Napoleonic Road Trail, Trieste and Surroundings Scenic platform in front of the upper church of the sanctuary at Vejna.

Napoleonic Road Trail, Trieste and Surroundings The sanctuary at Vejna was dedicated by order of Pope John XXIII to Mary, Mother of God and Queen; the dedication took place in 1966.

Napoleonic Road Trail, Trieste and Surroundings In the sanctuary the upper, light-flooded church and the lower one, reminiscent of catacombs, are united.

Napoleonic Road Trail, Trieste and Surroundings View towards Trieste and the Slovenian coast.

Napoleonic Road Trail, Trieste and Surroundings The circular path continues along the Stations of the Cross and then through the forest.

Napoleonic Road Trail, Trieste and Surroundings Instead of the circular path through the forest, I returned back below the climbing areas.

Napoleonic Road Trail, Trieste and Surroundings and enjoyed the wide views.

Napoleonic Road Trail, Trieste and Surroundings At the end of the asphalt, back along the Napoleonic road.

Napoleonic Road Trail, Trieste and Surroundings Towards Trieste, Piran and Savudrija.

Napoleonic Road Trail, Trieste and Surroundings Further along the trail that runs parallel to the road and later joins the circular path from Vejna.

Napoleonic Road Trail, Trieste and Surroundings Pleasant path through the forest quickly leads us to the obelisk.

Napoleonic Road Trail, Trieste and Surroundings Again at the obelisk at Opčine.

Napoleonic Road Trail, Trieste and Surroundings Victory Lighthouse (Faro della Vittoria).

Napoleonic Road Trail, Trieste and Surroundings Viewing possible on Sat. and Sun. from 15.00-19.00 from April to 2nd Sun. in October.

Napoleonic Road Trail, Trieste and Surroundings Sacchetta harbor and Lanterna-Old lighthouse.

Napoleonic Road Trail, Trieste and Surroundings A boat that runs between Trieste and Muggia has just arrived.

Napoleonic Road Trail, Trieste and Surroundings Modest little boat.

Napoleonic Road Trail, Trieste and Surroundings Palaces along the Grand Canal (Canal Grande).

Napoleonic Road Trail, Trieste and Surroundings Roman theater below the Hill of Saint Justus.

Napoleonic Road Trail, Trieste and Surroundings Mazzoleni Fountain of the Four Continents.

Napoleonic Road Trail, Trieste and Surroundings Government Palace on Unity Square (Piazza della Unità).

Napoleonic Road Trail, Trieste and Surroundings To the right of the Old Lighthouse, the Sanctuary on Vejna is visible.

(+5)

mirjam671. 06. 2015 20:57:10

SuzanaM, wonderful pictures! My niece told me about this path recently; now, after seeing the pictures, I'm even more determined to visit it. LP

(+1)

valerija1121. 06. 2015 21:05:42

Suzana, you are a real source of info! Is the church in Griža open? Thanks and good luck.

(+1)

SuzanaM2. 06. 2015 10:05:50

Thanks. I didn't notice when the church is open. Given its importance and attractiveness, it is probably open every day from morning to evening.

For all who want to attend holy Mass or see the church when there is no service, here is the Mass schedule:
- weekdays (ferials): 8.30, 18.00*, 18.30** (Rosary 17.30)
- before holidays and probably also Saturdays (prefestivi): 18.30** (Rosary 17.30)
- Sundays and holidays (festivi): 9.30, 11.00, 17.00, 18.30 (Rosary 16.00)

* winter schedule (last Sunday in October to last Sunday in March)
** summer schedule (last Sunday in March to last Sunday in October)

13th of the month from May to October 2015 at 21.00 candle procession, at 21.45 Mass (Rosary 20.30).

Link for those who want to take a boat from Trieste to Grado (bike transport possible):
http://www.aptgorizia.it/code/13853/Linea-Marittima

valerija1122. 06. 2015 14:01:04

As I say - Suzana is source of info. Thanks

zlatica9. 03. 2017 16:26:40

On Tuesday along Napoleon's path from Opčine to Miramare Castle near Trieste. Despite forecast strong bora, very calm here and towards noon sun came and brightened our day. lp nasmeh

inscription under the coat of arms carved into the rock

view of the Church of Our Lady from Kontovel

And at the end a visit to the sanctuary on Vejna.

Very modern church of Our Lady, Queen of Mary.

And finally a view of the sea and Miramar.

(+5)

mirjam6712. 03. 2017 20:48:28

Zlatica, your post encouraged me and my husband to hike this really nice trail today. Today it was sunlit and therefore even more beautiful. Lots of people and as far as I heard, every second person was a Slovenian! Looks like many of us read this section! velik nasmeh

View from the platform in front of the sanctuary

Ahead, or rather back to the parking lot first a bit on asphalt

(+2)

zlatica13. 03. 2017 08:12:15

Excellent, you really had a very nice day and could fully admire the views and nature. velik nasmeh

ločanka20. 05. 2018 11:45:44

Yesterday was a suitable day to visit the Napoleonica on the circular trail where I hadn't been before. Besides views of the Gulf of Trieste and Miramare, the bush along the path attracted me, which is in pink bloom at this time, but I don't know its name.
In the morning quiet the roe deer's call was heard, birds flying over also drew attention, the whole path full of admiration.
We were saddened by quite a few dry pine trees, which we couldn't explain.

Then also to swimming and sunbathing in Sesljane, not far away, where the view of Duino Castle and the ridge of Rilke Path attracted us, which was done in autumn.

Here you take the first steps in the right direction.

This pink shrub cheered up the whole path.

Close-up view of the viaduct with a train.

Many runners were seen along the whole path.

Morning stretching at the Italy viewpoint.

Gathering in front of the sanctuary at Veina.

I don't know if she knew she was being watched

(+6)

palček plezalček20. 05. 2018 12:23:51

Rock rose

(+1)

ločanka20. 05. 2018 16:18:49

thanks little one, who would have thought.
In autumn full of shades of red and yellow, now pink nasmeh

KSG8. 03. 2022 21:46:43

We hiked the trail at the end of February and it is really interesting.
Some of our photo impressions here: https://www.pisanezgodbe.si/napoleonova-cesta-ali-cesta-vicentina-nad-trstom/

(+2)

Janezs9. 03. 2022 08:25:13

AAT also touches some of these beauties. Regards.

Tolminc10. 03. 2022 17:42:15

On 7.3.2022 my partner and I did the circular trail on the Napoleonica. More here:

http://sine771.blogspot.com/2022/03/krozna-pot-po-razgledni-napoleonovi.html

bos1. 11. 2022 06:40:40

Yesterday my better half and I also circled a bit above Trieste from the obelisk to the sanctuary on Vejna and descent to Miramare castle, where it was crowded. We continued along the sea to the ice cream parlor with excellent ice cream and right after it up the road under the railway, then a bit to the right on the main road and left uphill (Štefanska path), so we joined the Napoleonic road at the climbing area.
This was followed by a scenic walk to the starting point at the roundabout before the obelisk (from the Slovenia direction), where you can park for free. nasmeh